Dispenser for plural layer tape



Nov. 29, 1966 c. E. CLARK DISPENSER FOR PLURAL LAYER TAPE 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed May 14, 1964 INVENTOR Ulmries E. War]? ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,288,384 DESPENSER FQR PLURAL LAYER TAPE Charles E. Clark, Rte.1, Box 97, Greenback, Tenn. Filed May 14, 1964, Ser. No. 367,297 8Claims. (Cl. 242-55) This invention relates generally to devices for usein handling rolls of plural layer tape. More particularly, it relates toa device for use in dispensing an adhesivebearing tape layer from a rollof plural layer tape while simultaneously removing and rewinding a linertape layer interposed between the layers of said adhesive-bearing tape.

There presently is in Widespread use an adhesivebearing tape, both sidesof which are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which tape forconvenience will be referred to herein as double-coated adhesive tape.Such double-coated tape is conventionally wound upon a roll for ease ofhandling, with a liner layer of tape being interposed between theconfronting adhesivebearing tape surfaces. The purpose for the liner isto prevent the adjacent adhesive-coated surfaces of the double-coatedtape from adhering to each other, and the liner is normally removed anddiscarded when the double-coated tape is removed from the roll for use.

Double-coated adhesive tape is commonly utilized wherever it is desiredto adhere one layer of sheet material or the like to an underlying layerof material. For example, in the manufacture of aluminum foil for thedomestic market the foil is wrapped upon a cardboard core as it issuesfrom the manufacturing process. The free end of each roll of foil mustbe secured to the underlying layer to prevent inadvertent unrolling, andfor this purpose it is conventional practice to place a strip ofdouble-coated adhesive tape between the free end of the foil and theunderlying foil surface on the cardboard core. Machines have beendevised for automatically placing such a strip of double-coated tape inposition, and are commonly referred to as automatic taping machines.

In automatic taping machines, the double-coated adhesive tape isunreeled for use from a supply roll. As this unreeling action occurs,the liner interposed between the adhesive-bearing surfaces of thedouble-coated tape must be removed and disposed of in a manner toprevent it from becoming entangled in the machinery. The presentinvention is directed to a dispenser device particularly adapted,although not limited to, this purpose.

The dispenser of the invention includes a pair of reels mounted upon asupporting shaft in side by side relationship, a slip clutch assemblybeing positioned between the two reels to provide a driving connectiontherebetween. A roll of plural layer tape, i.e., a roll comprisinglayers of double-coated adhesive tape with a liner interposed betweenthe adhesivecoated surfaces, is placed on a first one of the reels. Theliner is fed onto the second reel, and as the first reel is rotatedduring unreeling of the double-coated adhesive tape, the slip clutchmechanism causes the second reel to rotate for taking up the linerlayer. The slip clutch which drivingly connects the two reels isadjustable, and by properly adjusting it to provide the proper degree ofslip between the reels the second reel will take up the liner layer at arate corresponding to that at which the double-coated tape is dispensed.Thus, a dispensing device is provided which effectively gathers onto areel the disposable liner layer, and which thus prevents said linerlayer from becoming enmeshed in the machinery.

The present invention also provides a novel construction for the linerlayer take-up reel, whereby when said reel is filled it can be readilypartially disassembled so that the rolled liner layer can be readilyremoved therefrom. In addition, a novel device is provided on thetake-up reel to secure the free end of the liner thereto.

While the device of the invention is especially adapted for use withautomatic taping machines, it can also be utilized elsewhere to dispensedouble-coated adhesive tape. Further, the device of the invention is notlimited for use with adhesive-coated tape, but can also be used withrolls of other types of plural layer tape to facilitate handling of thesame.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device forsimultaneously winding one layer of a roll of plural layer tape on atake-up reel while a second tape layer is being dispensed from saidroll.

Another object is to provide a dispenser for a roll of plural layertape, incorporating a dispensing reel and a takeup reel interconnectedby an adjustable slip clutch mechanism, and constructed so that it canbe readily adjusted to compensate for varying operating conditions andfor changes in the diameter of the roll as tape is dispensed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device for aroll of plural layer tape, constructed to prevent inadvertentfree-wheeling action which might interfere with the proper operationthereof.

It is also an object to provide a novel dispensing reel for receivingand retaining a roll of tape, constructed so that said roll can bereadily mounted and dismounted therefrom.

A further object is to provide a novel tape take-up reel, constructed sothat one side wall thereof can be readily removed to facilitate removalof tape reeled thereon.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing reel for receiving aroll of tape, provided with a plurality of resilient fingers on the hubthereof arranged to releasably secure said roll thereon.

Another object is to provide a device for securing the free end of atape layer to a take-up reel.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dispensing device forrolls of plural layer tape which is economical to construct.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description, whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the dispensing deviceof the invention in operative condition, with portions of the supplytape roll and the take-up reel broken away to show the constructionthereof;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the device of FIG. 1, showingthe manner in which a liner tape layer is transferred from thedispensing reel to the take-up reel;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1,showing in detail the device for securing the free end of a tape layerto the take-up reel;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along the line4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the mounting for the magnetic fasteners utilizedto secure the removable side wall of the take-up reel;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, irregular sectional view, taken along the line 55in FIG. 1, showing in particular the construction of the dispensing reeland the slip clutches of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5, furthershowing the construction of one of the slip clutches;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, plan view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 5,further showing the construction of the hub on the dispensing reel;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the anchor element employed in one ofthe slip clutch assemblies;

FIG. is a fragmentary front elevational view of the outer end of thedispensing reel of FIG. 5, showing a modification thereof wherein a pairof diametrically op posed spring fingers are mounted thereon todetachably secure a roll of tape in position;

FIG. ll is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 1111 of FIG.10; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of theinvention, adapted for table top use.

Referring now to the drawings, the dispenser of the invention isindicated generally at 2 in FIG. 1, the embodiment shown beingconstructed for use with a two-layer roll of tape. The dispenser 2 ismounted upon a bracket 4 which is secured to project upwardly from aframe 6, which frame can be part of an automatic taping machine or ofsome other apparatus to which a layer of tape is dispensed for use. Thebracket 4 includes a base plate 8 secured by screws 10 to the frame 6,from which plate an upright frame member 12 extends upwardly. Asupporting shaft 14 is carried by the upright 12, and has an outer, ordispensing reel 16, and an inner, or take-up reel 18 mounted thereon.

The dispensing reel 16 is constructed to receive a roll 20 of plurallayer tape, which comprises a layer 22 of double coated tape, having apressure-sensitive adhesive coating on both sides thereof, and a linerlayer 24 interposed between the confronting adhesive surfaces of thetape 22 to prevent said surfaces from adhering to each other. It is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to use withdouble-coated adhesive tape, but that it can also be utilized withribbon or other reeled material.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 5, the supporting shaft 14includes a cylindrical main portion 26 and an enlarged outer portion 28,which portions are separated by an enlarged annular flange 30. The mainshaft portion 26 includes an inner unthreaded portion 32, and an outer,thread-bearing portion 34, the latter being received through a bore 36provided in the upright frame member 12, and being secured by a pair oflock nuts 38 and a securing nut 40. Disposed between the outermost locknut 38 and the upright member 12 is a washer 42, a second washer 44being interposed between said upright member and the securing nut 40.

The enlarged outer portion 28 of the shaft 14 has a pair ofdiametrically opposed, axially extending flats 46 thereon, which extendinwardly from the outer end of said shaft for a major portion of thelength thereof. Mounted on the outer shaft portion 28 is the dispensingreel 16.

The dispensing reel 16 includes a front circular plate 48, provided witha central axial circular opening 50 extending therethrough. A collar 52provided with an axial bore 53 projects from the inner side of the plate43, and a sleeve bushing 54 extends through the bore 53 and the opening50, the inner end of the bushing 54 having an integral flange 56thereon. The flange 56 terminates short of the flange 30, and a bearingwasher 58 is interposed therebetween, said washer 58 preferably beingmade from a self-lubricating material.

Formed integrally with the front plate 48 of the reel 16 is an inwardlyextending, generally cylindrical hub 60, the outer surface of which hasa slight outward taper from the front to the rear thereof. The hub 60 isprovided with four equally spaced, axially extending slots 62 open atthe rear end of the hub, and which extend substantially to the frontplate 48.

Received on the enlarged outer portion 28 of the shaft 14 outwardly ofthe dispensing reel 16, and connected with said reel, is a slip clutchmechanism 64. The slip clutch 64 includes an annular anchor washerelement 66, shown in perspective in FIG. 9, which has a central bore 68of a larger diameter than that of the enlarged outer shaft portion 28.The anchor element 66 is provided on the inner surface thereof withthree equally spaced anchor lugs 70, which are receivable within matingbores 72 in the outer face of the plate 48, to connect the anchorelement for rotation with the reel 16. The periphery of the anchorelement 66 is provided with a plurality of axially extending fingers 74,which extend oppositely to and which are interdigitated relative to thelugs 70.

Disposed on the outer portion 28 of the shaft 26 outwardly of the anchorelement 66 is a first plurality of annular washers 76, each of which hasa plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 78 in the outerperiphery thereof positioned for receiving the fingers 74. The innerdiameters of the washers 76 are substantially greater than the diameterof the shaft portion 28. A second plurality of annular washers 80 isinterdigitated with respect to the plurality of washers 76, the washers80 being constructed from a softer material than the washers 76. As isperhaps best shown in FIG. 6, each washer 80 of the second plurality ofwashers is provided with a central bore 82 of a noncircularcross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the shaft portion28. Thus, the flats 46 on the shaft portion 28 prevent the washers 80comprising the second plurality of washers from rotating with theanchored washers 76 as the dispensing reel 16 is rotated on thesupporting shaft portion 28.

Engaged with the outermost of the washers 80 is an outwardly facing,cup-shaped washer 84, which also has a bore therethrough of aconfiguration corresponding to that of the shaft portion 28; thus, thewasher 84 is fixed to rotate with said shaft. Engaged with thecup-shaped washer 84 is an outer annular washer 86, having an innerdiameter slightly greater than that of the shaft portion 28. A split nut88 is threaded on the outer end of the shaft portion 28, the halves ofsaid split nut being secured together by a pair of screws 90. The screws90 can be loosened to permit free rotation of the split nut 88 to thedesired position on the shaft portion 28, after which said screws can betightened to secure the nut against accidental displacement.

In operation, the split nut 88 is threaded onto the shaft portion 28until the flange on the bushing 56 is engaged with the washer 58, anduntil the washers 80 and 76 are sufficiently engaged with each other toprovide the desired value of friction therebetween as the reel 16 isrotated on the shaft portion 28. This value of friction can be readilyvaried to a fine degree by merely adjusting the position of the splitnut 88. When the slip clutch assembly 64 is thus assembled foroperation, it will be seen that as the circular plate 48 rotates aboutthe shaft portion 28, the anchor element 66 will be carried therewith.Because the washers 76 are keyed to the anchor element 66 by theinterengaged fingers 76 and notches 78, said washers 76 will also rotatewith the circular plate 48. The washers 80, however, are prevented fromrotating relative to the shaft portion 28 by the flats 46 on said shaftportion, and are frictionally engaged with the washers 76 to a degreedetermined by the pressure exerted thereon by the split nut 88. Thus,the friction effect of the slip clutch 64 functions to exert a brakingaction on the rotation of the outer reel 16, preventing undesirablefree-wheeling thereof.

Received on the shaft portion 32 behind the flange 30 is a circularplate 92, which plate forms the rear side wall of the outer, ordispensing reel 16. The plate 92 is provided with a central circularopening 93, within which is fitted a sleeve bushing 94. The sleevebushing 94 has a flange 96 thereon positioned to confront the flange 30,and a bearing washer 98, preferably made from a self-lubricatingmaterial, is interposed between said bushing flange 96 and the flange30.

The plate 92 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced,axially extending fingers 100, which are receivable within the axialslots 62 in the hub 60. The outer surfaces 102 of the fingers 100' areknurled, or otherwise roughened, and are arranged to project slightlyabove the outer surface of the generally cylindrical hub 60. The outersurfaces 102 of the fingers 100 are also preferably tapered tocorrespond to the slight taper of the outer surface of said hub 60. Thecircular plate 62 has a diameter somewhat greater than that of the rearor inner end of the cylindrical hub 60 to define a rim 104.

The two layers 22 and 24 of tape on the roll 20 are wound on acylindrical core 106, which core will typically be constructed ofcard-board. The diameter of the cylindrical, slightly tapered hub 60 atthe outer end thereof is slightly less than the inner diameter of thecore 106, whereby said core can be readily placed thereon. When the core106 is placed on the hub 66, it is moved along the tapered surfacethereof until the knurled outer surfaces 102 of the fingers 100* biteinto the material of the core, thereby securing the roll 20 in position.The rim 184 is provided as a stop for the roll 20.

Received on the main portion 62 of the supporting shaft 26 is acylindrical collar 108, which collar has a cylindrical bushing 110fitted therein. The collar 108 is held in engagement with the bushing 94by the locknuts 38 on the threaded end 34 of the shaft portion 32, abearing Washer 112, preferably made from a selflubricating material, anda steel washer 114 being interposed between the confronting surfaces ofthe collar 108 and the innermost of the locknuts 38. The collar 108 isprovided with a pair of diametrically opposed, axially extending flats116 (best shown in FIG. 8), and the outer end 118 thereof is threaded.

The inner, or take-up reel 18 is received on the cylindrical collar 188,and includes a circular hub 120 provided with a central axial opening122 having a noncircular configuration corresponding to the externalconfiguration of the collar 108. Thus, the hub 128* is slideablyreceivable on the collar 108, but is keyed against rotation relativethereto. The hub 120 is provided on the front face thereof with acircular boss 124, and a rear side plate 126 is formed integrally withthe hub and projects radially outwardly from the outer cylindricalperiphery thereof.

While the rear side plate 126 is shown to be formed integrally with thecylindrical hub 120, it could be formed separately and secured theretoby screws or other suitable fasteners. The side plate 126 has aplurality of arcuate cutouts 128 therein, which serve to lighten thesame.

An annular front side plate 130 is received on the circular boss 124carried by the hub 120, and extends outwardly generally parallel to therear side plate 126. The annular front plate 131) is provided witharcuate cutouts 132 to lighten the same, and is detachably secured tothe hub 128 by suitable fastener means.

While any one of several types of fasteners could be utilized to securethe annular front plate 130 to the hub 120, it is desirable that thefastener employed permit ready removal and installation of the plate onthe circular boss 124. In the invention as shown in the drawings, theannular front plate 130 is secured to the hub 120 by magnetic fasteners,which have been found to offer great flexibility in use. The annularfront plate 130 includes an annular band 134 positioned radially betweenthe cutouts 132, which band is made from a magnetic-responsive material.Recesses 136 are provided in the hub 120 directly behind the annularband 134, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnets 138 arereceived within said recesses and are secured by screws 140, oralternatively by some other suitable securing means. Thus, when theannular plate 130 is placed on the circular boss 124 carried by the hub120, the magnets 138 will attract and hold the magnetic-responsiveannular band 134, thereby detachably securing the plate to said hub.

The annular front plate 130 can be constructed entirely from steel orsome other magnetic-responsive material, thus making the entire plateresponsive to the magnets 138. Alternatively, the body of the platecould be constructed from a non-magnetic material, and an annular steelband could be secured thereto in the region of the annular band 134. Thepurpose for the annular configuration of the band 134 is to allow theannular front plate 130 to assume any radial orientation relative to thecircular boss 124 on the hub 120, which thereby greatly facilitate-srapid mounting thereof.

Positioned between the confronting surfaces of the hub on the take-upreel '18 and the plate 92 of the dispensing reel 16 is a slip clutch142, which is identical in construction to the slip clutch 64. The slipclutch 142 includes .an annular anchor element 144 which has a centralopening substantially larger in diameter than the collar 188, and whichis provided on the rear surface thereof with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced lugs 146 that are received within bores 148provided on the plate 92 to connect said anchor element for rotationwith the reel 16. The anchor element 144 is also provided with aplurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending fingers 150.

Received on the collar 108 is a first plurality of washers 152, whichhave inner diameters substantially greater than that of said collar, andthe outer peripheries of which are provided with notches for receivingthe fingers 151 Disposed alternately between the washers 152 are annularwashers 154, the outer diameters of which are substantially less thanthe diameters of the washers 152. The openings in the washers 154correspond in cross-section to that of the collar 108, and the washersare slideably received on said collar, the non-circular configuration ofsaid openings and of the collar 108 keying the washers 154 to rotatewith said collar. A cupshaped washer 156 and a fiat washer 158, whichcorrespond to the elements 84 and 86, respectively, of the slip clutchassembly 64, complete the washer assemblage of clutch assembly 142.

A split nut 161 identical in construction to the split nut 88, isreceived on the threaded end 118 of the collar 1G8, and is threaded intoengagement with the hub 120 of the inner, take-up reel 18. By tighteningthe split nut 160, the hub of the reel 18 is slid along the collar 108and is urged into engagement with the washer assemblage of slip clutch142, which thereby causes the washers 152 and 154 to frictionally engageeach other. When the washers 152 and 154 are thus frictionally engaged,a driving connection is provided between the outer dispensing reel 16and the inner take-up reel 18, so that when the outer reel 16 isrevolved the inner reel 18 will revolve therewith.

Secured to the upright frame member 12 and arranged to extendtransversely above the reels 16 and 18 is a guide bar 162, the guide barbeing spaced from the outer peripheries of said reels and terminating inan enlarged head 164. The function of the guide bar 162 is to guide tapebeing transferred between the reels 16 and 18, and to facilitate suchtransfer the guide bar 162 preferably has a highly polished externalsurface.

The dispenser of the invention is utilized in the following manner.First, a double-layer roll 20 of tape is placed on the outer, ordispensing reel 16, with the core 186 of said roll being wedged tightlyon the knurled, outer surfaces 182 of the fingers 100. Assuming that theroll 20 includes a double-coated layer of tape 22, that is, a tape layerbearing an adhesive coating on both sides thereof, and a liner layer 24,the apparatus is then set up as follows. The double-coated tape layer 22is first fed downwardly from the roll 20 toward the point of utilizationthereof. The liner tape layer 24 is then fed upwardly over the guide bar162, and down onto the cylindrical hub 120 of the take-up reel 18, towhich it is secured.

The free end of the liner 24 can be secured to the outer surface of thehub 120 by any suitable means. However, the present inventionincorporates a novel securing device which is easily operated, and whichwill rapidly secure a free tape end to the hub 120.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 3, the tape end securing deviceof the invention is indicated generally at 166, and is mounted on therear side plate 126 to extend across the periphery of the hub 120. Thehub 120 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced,radially extending arcuate recesses 168, within one of which recesses168 the device 166 is received. The device 166 comprises a shaft 170which is received Within a bore 172 provided in the rear side plate 126,said shaft having thereon a ratchet gear 174 which is positionedexternally of the side plate 126.

The shaft 170 terminates at its outer end in the finger grasp 176, andis secured to the side plate 126 by a snap ring 178 received within agroove provided in said shaft at the inner side of the plate 126. Theinner end of the shaft 170 extends axially of the arcuate recess 168,and is provided with a transverse slot 180 open at its outer end. A pawlmechanism 182 is attached to the outer surface of the rear side plate126 in position to engage the ratchet gear 174, and functions to limitrotation of the shaft 170 to only one direction.

To secure a free tape end to the device 166, all that is necessary is toinsert the said tape end into the slot 180, after which the shaft 170 isrotated manually by grasping the element 176 with the fingers. A portionof the tape end can thus be rapidly wrapped about the shaft 170, therebysecuring the tape end to the take-up reel 18.

After the double-coated tape layer 22 has been led to the point ofutilization, and after the liner 24 has been secured to the take-up reel18, the device is ready for operation. When the layer 22 is pulled tounreel the same from the roll 20, the outer, dispensing reel 16 will becaused to rotate. Because the reels 16 and 18 are connected by the slipclutch 142, the inner, take-up reel 18 will rotate with the supply reel16. Thus, the liner 24 will be reeled onto the take-up reel 18 at thesame time and at the same pace as the tape layer 22 is being unreeledfrom the roll 20.

It should be noted that in order for the device to function, thecylindrical hub 120 must have a diameter at least as great as theinitial outer diameter of the roll 20; otherwise, the initial rate oftake-up by the reel 18 will be insufiicient to gather the liner 24thereon at a rate corresponding to that at which the double-coated tapelayer 22 is being dispensed from the roll 20. To further explain, itwill be noted that the inner, take-up reel 18 is driven by the rotationof the outer, dispensing reel 16, and that it therefore will not rotateat a greater speed than said dispensing reel 16. If the diameter of thehub 120 is less than the initial diameter of the roll 20, it is thusreadily seen that the inner, take-up reel 18 would have to rotate at agreater rate than the dispensing reel 16 to reel the liner 24 thereon ata rate corresponding to that at which the double-coated tape layer 22 isbeing dispensed from the roll 20.

As unreeling of the double-coated tape layer 22 continues, the diameterof the roll 20 will progressively diminish. Simultaneously, as the liner24 is reeled onto the hub 120, the effective diameter of said hub, thatis, the diameter of the hub 120 plus the thickness of the liner 24reeled thereon, will progressively increase. It is apparent that if theinner reel 18 and the outer reel 16 were to continuously rotate at thesame speed, the liner 24 would be placed under extreme tension due tothe decreasing diameter of the roll 20 and the increasing effectivediameter of the hub 120, which strain would eventually cause the liner24 to break. However, the slip clutch assembly 142 prevents this fromhappening.

The slip clutch 142 is adjusted, utilizing the split nut 160, to providea degree of slip between the reels 16 and 18 sufficient to prevent unduetension being placed upon the liner 24 during operation of the device.Thus, as

the double-coated tape layer 22 is dispensed from the roll 20, and asthe diameter of the roll 20 decreases and the liner 24 builds up on thehub 120, the slip clutch assembly 142 will allow the inner, take-up reel18 to progressively decrease its rotational speed relative to the outer,dispensing reel 16. The slip clutch 142 thereby allows the roll 20 to becompletely diminished, while at the same time the liner 24 is completelyreeled onto the take-up reel 18, all without causing breakage of theliner 24 or permitting excessive slack in the leadof tape extendingbetween the two reels.

The purpose for the outer slip clutch 64 is to prevent free-wheeling ofthe dispensing reel 20, which might cause the liner 24 to be broken. Theclutch 64 its especially necessary in automatic taping machines, whichnormally unreel the double-coated tape layer 22 from the roll 20 in ajerking, intermittent manner. Such jerking could, in the absence of theslip clutch 64, cause the dispensing reel 16 to free-wheel about theshaft 14; the clutch 64 will damp out any such tendency. If thedoublecoated tape layer 22 is being fed at a continual rate, it ispossible that the slip clutch 64 could then be eliminated.

When the double-coated tape 22 has been depleted, the annular frontplate is removed from the take-up reel 18, and the reeled liner 22 isremoved. The recesses 168 permit easy grasping of the reeled liner 22,and thus facilitate its removal. The plate 130 is then replaced, and anew roll of tape can be installed.

Another problem occurring with tape dispensers utilized on automaticmachines is that occasionally the roll of tape 20 will, through machinevibration, be caused to fall off of the dispensing reel 16. When thisoccurs, the roll of tape will frequently become enmeshed in themachinery, and a breakdown lasting several hours can occur. Amodification of the outer, dispensing reel 16 is shown in FIGS. 10 and11, which is constructed to prevent such accidental displacement of theroll 20.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an outer supply reel is indicatedgenerally at 184, and includes a front plate 186 having a generallycylindrical hub 188 projecting therefrom. A pair of diametricallyopposed notches 190 are provided in the plate 186 at the outer peripherythereof, for receiving a pair of leaf spring detents 192.

The detents 192 each comprise a generally L-shaped member 194, one legof which is secured to the front plate 186 by a screw 196. The free legs198 of the members 194 are received within the notches 190, and normallyproject a substantial distance above the outer surface of the hub 188.However, said free legs 198 will readily deflect inwardly when the core200 of a roll of tape 202 is passed thereover during mounting of saidroll on the cylindrical hub 188. After the core 200 has passed over thefree legs 198, said legs will again return to their projecting positionsabove the surface of the hub 188, wherein they will prevent accidentaldisplacement of the core 200 from the reel 184. When it is desired toremove the core 200 from the reel 184, the free legs 194 are merelypressed inwardly manually with the fingers, after which the core 200 canbe easily slid thereover.

While the present invention has been described pri marily with referenceto an automatic taping machine, it is of course not limited to such anapplication. Referring to FIG. 12, an embodiment of the inventionsuitable for use in the home or ofiice is shown. In FIG. 12, a base 204is provided, having a pair of uprights 206 thereon which receive andsupport the opposite ends of a supporting shaft 208. The ends of theshaft 208 are preferably rectangular, and are received within likeshapednotches 210 in the uprights 206; the rectangular ends on the shaft 208and the like-shaped notches 210 secure the shaft 208 against rotationrelative to the uprights 206.

Also mounted on the base 204 is an upright 212, which extends upwardlyfrom one of the uprights 206 and which 9 has a transversely extendingguide bar 214 secured thereto to project generally parallel to the shaft208. The shaft 208 has mounted thereon a dispensing reel 216 and atake-up reel 218, both of which are arranged and constructed in themanner previously described for the reels 16 and 18, and which areinterconnected by a suitable slip clutch (not shown). A roll of tape 220is received on the dispensing reel 216, and comprises a double-coatedtape layer 222 and a liner 224. The construction and operation of thedispensing device of FIG. 12 is identical in concept to that of thedispensing device 2 described hereinabove.

While the present invention has been described primarily with referenceto rolls of plural layer tape, wherein one tape layer is coated on bothsurfaces thereof with an adhesive, and wherein the other tape layer is aliner utilized to separate the confronting adhesive-coated surfaces ofthe first tape layer, it is of course apparent that other kinds ofplural layer tape can also be utilized with the present invention. Itshould also be noted that the roll of tape 20 can be placed on thedispensing reel 16 with the tape layer 22 leading in either directiontherefrom, and that the reels 16 and 18 can properly function whenrotated in either direction.

The slip clutches 64 and 142 provide a fine degree of adjustment for thevalue of friction between the sets of washers associated therewith, andthus permit fine adjustment of the operation of the device. In certainapplications, however, it is apparent that such precise clutchadjustment is not absolutely essential. Accordingly, it its to beunderstood that other types of slip clutches than the type shown anddescribed herein could be employed in the present invention, withoutdeparting from the teachings thereof. However, it is important to theinvention that the slip clutch provided between the dispensing reel andthe take-up reel be constructed to drive the take-up reel at a rateadequate to reel the line-r layer of tape thereon, while at the sametime preventing excessive stress from being placed on said liner layer.

It is also apparent that it would be possible to employ more than tworeels in the invention, whereby plural layer tape incorporating morethan two layers could be handled. For example, a third take-up reelcould be mounted on the collar 108, and could be driven by a slip clutchfrom the take-up reel 18.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. A dispenser for plural layer tape, comprising: a frame; a supportingshaft carried by said frame; at least a pair of tape receiving reelsmounted for rotation on said supporting shaft in side by siderelationship, one of said reels of said reel pair including a hubportion for receiving a roll of plural layer tape, and the other of saidreels being provided with a noncircular axial central opening; acylindrical collar having a noncircular external configuration mateablewith that of said central opening, said collar being mounted forrotation on and fixed against axial shifting relative to said shaft, andsaid other reel being slidably mounted on said collar; adjustable slipclutch means positioned between confronting portions of the reels ofsaid reel pair and arranged to provide a driving connectiontherebetween, so that the other reel of said reel pair will rotate inresponse to rotation of said one reel, said adjustable slip clutch meansincluding: a first plurality of washers rotatably mounted on said collarbetween said reels of said reel pair; means constraining said firstplurality of washers to rotate with said one reel; a second plurality ofwashers arranged alternately with said first plurality of washers andprovided with noncircular openings therethrough, said second pluralityof washers being slidably received on said collar to rotate therewith;

1d and adjustable means on the side of said other reel opposite said onereel operable to urge said other reel toward said one reel tofrictionally engage said alternately arranged first and secondpluralities of washers; and a guide bar supported by said frame andarranged to extend generally parallel to said supporting shaft, saidguide bar being positioned radially outwardly of the peripheries of saidreels and being arranged to guide a tape layer between said one reel andsaid other reel of said reel pair.

2. A dispenser for plural layer tape, comprising: a frame; a supportingshaft carried by said frame; at least a pair of tape receiving reelsmounted for rotation on said supporting shaft in side by siderelationship, one of said reels of said reel pair including a hubportion for receiving a roll of plural layer tape; first adjustable slipclutch means positioned between confronting portions of the reels ofsaid reel pair and arranged to provide a driving connectiontherebetween, so that the other reel of said reel pair will rotate inresponse to rotation of said one reel; second adjustable slip clutchmeans connected between said shaft and said one reel of said reel pair;and a guide bar supported by said frame and arranged to extend generallyparallel to said supporting shaft, said guide bar being positionedradially outwardly of the peripheries of said reels and being arrangedto guide a tape layer between said one reel and said other reel of saidreel pair.

3. A dispenser for plural layer tape, comprising: a frame; a supportingshaft carried by said frame; at least a pair of tape receiving reelsmounted for rotation on said supporting shaft in side by siderelationship, one of said reels of said reel pair including: a frontradial plate; a rearwardly extending, generally cylindrical hub securedto said front plate for receiving a roll of plural layer tape, said hubhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending slotstherein open at the rearward end of said hub; and a rear radial plateprovided with a plurality of forwardly extending fingers receivablewithin said axially extending slots, the outer surfaces of said fingersbeing roughened and protruding above the surface of said hub; slipclutch means positioned between confronting portions of the reels ofsaid reel pair and arranged to provide a driving connectiontherebetween, so that the other reel of said reel pair will rotate inresponse to rotation of said one reel; and a guide bar supported by saidframe and arranged to extend generally parallel to said supportingshaft, said guide pair being positioned radially outwardly of theperipheries of said reels and being arranged to guide a tape layerbetween said one reel and said other reel of said reel pair.

4. A dispenser as recited in claim 3, wherein said one reel furtherincludes means to detachably retain a roll of tape on said hub.

5. A dispenser as recited in claim 4, wherein said retaining meanscomprises a plurality of resilient fingers mounted at the forward edgeof said hub, said fingers being depressible to mount and remove saidroll of tape thereover.

6. A dispenser for plural layer tape, comprising: a frame; a supportingshaft carried by said frame; at least a pair of tape receiving reelsmounted for rotation on said supporting shaft in side by siderelationship, one of said reels of said reel pair including a hubportion for receiving a roll of plural layer tape, and the other reel ofsaid reel pair comprising: a cylindrical hub portion, including a radialfront face having a circular boss of reduced diameter thereon; a rearside plate secured to said hub and projecting radially therefrom; anannular front side plate receivable on said circular boss, and arrangedwhen mounted on said base to project radially from said hub parallel tosaid rear side plate; and fastener means carried by said hub fordetachably securing said annular front side plate thereto; slip clutchmeans positioned between confronting portions of the reels of said reelpair and arranged to provide a driving connection therebetween, so thatthe other reel of said reel pair will rotate in response to rotation ofsaid one reel; and a guide bar supported by said frame and arranged toextend generally parallel to said supporting shaft, said guide bar beingpositioned radially outwardly of the peripheries of said reels and beingarranged to guide a tape layer between said one reel and said other reelof said reel pair.

7. A dispenser as recited in claim 6, wherein said fastener meansincludes at least one magnet carried by said hub.

8. A dispenser as recited in claim 6, wherein said other reel includesmeans for securing one end of a tape thereto, said means comprising: ashaft secured for rotation in a bore provided in said rear side plate ofsaid other reel to extend transversely of and adjacent to said hub, the

outer end of said shaft being provided with handle means, 1

and the inner end thereof being slotted to receive a tape end; andratchet means mounted on said rear side plate and arranged to confinesaid slotted shaft to rotation in only one direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK J. COHEN,Primary Examiner. a MERVIN STEIN, W. S. BURDEN, Assistant Examiners.

1. A DISPENSER FOR PLURAL LAYER TAPE, COMPRISING: A FRAME; A SUPPORTINGSHAFT CARRIED BY SAID FRAME; AT LEAST A PAIR OF TAPE RECEIVING REELSMOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON SAID SUPPORTING SHAFT IN SIDE BY SIDERELATIONSHIP, ONE OF SAID REELS OF SAID REEL PAIR INCLUDING A HUBPORTION FOR RECEIVING A ROLL OF PLURAL LAYER TAPE, AND THE OTHER OF SAIDREELS BEING PROVIDED WITH A NONCIRCULAR AXIAL CENTRAL OPENING; ACYLINDRICAL COLLAR HAVING A NONCIRCULAR EXTERNAL CONFIGURATION MATEABLEWITH THAT OF SAID CENTRAL OPENING, SAID COLLAR BEING MOUNTED FORROTATION ON AND FIXED AGAINST AXIAL SHIFTING RELATIVE TO SAID SHAFT, ANDSAID OTHER REEL BEING SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID COLLAR; ADJUSTABLE SLIPCLUTCH MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN CONFRONTING PORTIONS OF THE RELS OF SAIDREEL PAIR AND ARRANGED TO PROVIDE A DRIVING CONNECTION THEREBETWEEN, SOTHAT THE OTHER REEL OF SAID REEL PAIR WILL ROTATE IN RESPONSE TOROTATION OF SAID ONE REEL, SAID ADJUSTABLE SLIP CLUTCH MEANS INCLUDING:A FIRST PLURALITY OF WASHERS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID COLLAR BETWEENSAID REELS OF SAID REEL PAIR; MEANS CONSTRAINING SAID FIRST PLURALITY OFWASHERS TO ROTATE WITH SAID ONE REEL; A SECOND PLURALITY OF WASHERSARRANGED ALTERNATELY WITH SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF WASHERS AND PROVIDEDWITH NONCIRCULAR OPENINGS THERETHROUGH, SAID SECOND PLURALITY OF WASHERS